The Weight of the Oath

     Last week, I watched the movie American Sniper for the first time and realized why I had not when it was first released at theaters across the country.  The plot revolved around the war time service of Navy Seal Chris Kyle who was one of the most prolific snipers in military history.  The majority of the scenes showed graphic images of war as well as Kyle’s battle with PTSD (a topic that resonates strongly with me).  By the movie’s account, Kyle- an American patriot who believed strongly in the defense of our country, overcame his behavioral health struggles by helping other veterans-in-kind.  Chris Kyle was killed by one of these veterans (he was assisting) on a shooting range in 2013.  The oath of enlistment that he took came with a heavy weight attached- something that is shared by all public servants alike (fire, police, emergency dispatcher, et al).

     In general, as a public servant you are asked to swear an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States, the state in which you reside, the municipal ordinances of your village, as well as to faithfully discharged the duties of the position to which you are employed.  Prior to the actual date of employment, the prospective public servant is told (at an orientation) all about the work schedule, hours, benefits, and time off that comes with the job, but never about the toll exacted on the mind, body, and spirit by the weight of said oath.  Let me show you what I mean.

     When it comes to emergency dispatchers, I have always told the ones I work with that they are the life line to the police officers and fire fighters who respond to the calls for assistance. From a behavioral health aspect, dispatchers are often left behind when it comes to available resources that specifically deal with their profession.  Imagine answering the 911 call to find a panic-stricken citizen screaming for help because someone is breaking into his/her home to do them bodily harm.  The dispatcher must multi-task by staying with the caller, as well as sending the appropriate agency to mitigate the situation.  The minutes must seem like hours as the dispatcher “internally prays” that help arrives before a tragedy occurs.  There is not a doubt in my mind that the stress response is heightened, and without relief can become chronic.  This professional is equally vulnerable to PTSD as their counterparts on the street.

     Police officers and firefighters (local, county, state, and federal) often work in concert at emergency scenes that make them prone to behavioral health issues as well.  Exposure to homicides, suicides, domestic violence, psychiatric calls, and communicable diseases (to name a few) can wreak havoc with either profession.  Additionally, these public servants may spend extended time at an incident, all the while exposed to the environmental elements of the different seasons of the year.  Both physical and psychological fatigue (susceptibility to PTSD) can set in as the weight of the oath takes its toll from many years on the job.  For some, years on the job may be only one or two when these injuries occur.

 

     Public servants- military, fire, police, and dispatch all swear to uphold the laws of this land and protect the public (country) at-large.  The life of the public servant is always about the unknown with each incident, and as a result is accompanied by a cumulative emotional exhaustion.  Many will never admit they need help with behavioral health housekeeping (so to speak), because asking for help is seen as a sign of weakness.  Therefore, I ask all of my fellow servants to seek help either in the form of peer support, counseling, or group therapy as a way to maintain balance.  Ask for assistance as this is not a sign of weakness, but rather a show of courage.  Reach out before this weight becomes too heavy.

 

In health and wellness,

Tim

Available Resources

Web

Illinois Firefighter Peer Support  www.ilffps.org

Safe Call Now  www.safecallnow.org

Please check the state and/or country in which you reside for further resources.  The above are just a couple to get you started on the road to wellness, and I ask all who read this to please add to this list in the comments section of the blog.

When a Lapse Occurs

     Last week I discussed a couple of triggers that I had avoided (but revisited) in the interest of maintaining a balanced existence on my road to healing.  In retrospect, I did not articulate my point very well and some may have noted sarcasm at the end of the commentary (I meant to offend no one and if I did so- I apologize).  After reading between the lines I realized that what had happened to me was a lapse in my healing program.  A lapse is defined as “a short-term disruption” where as a relapse is “a return to one’s former behaviors and the act of “giving up” (ACE, 2013).  So what can one do to prevent a total relapse?

     Whether one is participating in either a healing, exercise, or behavioral modification program- the first thing to recognize is that lapses (stumbles if you will), are going to happen.  We are not perfect beings and even if we are feeling good about ourselves, temporary roadblocks can and do occur, it’s a fact of life.  For example: injury, work obligations, temptations from food, and overconfidence (in my case) can steer the ship off course.  Here are a few strategies that can help to right your personal ship:

Don’t be hard on yourself

     First and foremost, do not beat yourself up for a lapse.  Get back up, dust yourself off and reflect on all the successes you have had up to this point in your program.  Even if you are at the very beginning when the lapse occurs, keep telling yourself that “This was just a little detour, but if I continue to follow the road signs I will be redirected back to my original path” (towards healing, improved health, etc.).  Remember, we are only human.

Reflect

     With any type of self-improvement program, it is always a good idea to record both the successes and barriers to each day in a journal.  In the event of a lapse, be honest and record what happened or why you think it occurred.  Was there an environmental stressor at work or home?  If you had a great day, what made it so and how did you feel about your progress?  Your journal can be a great reference tool, especially if you have the same type of repeated lapses.  It can help to reestablish a connection with your goals since “you had been there, and done that before.”

 

Hang with like-minded people

     Embarking on a self-improvement program can often times be a daunting task that will be better served with a support system.  Always remember that there are many people who have walked this journey before you, and their experiences can become your best teacher.  Seek out peer support groups that resonate with your mission (improved health, addictions, behavioral health, exercise, etc.).  These groups are generally facilitated by an industry leader, but in reality it is the participants who in time, become the true educators.  Both successes and lapses are shared with encouragement abound.  If group support is not your thing, then seek out a qualified coach or counselor that can best serve your needs.  At the end of the day SHARING = HEALING.

     Lapses are a part of life that can be recovered from both with self-reflection and a solid support system.  Ultimately, we do not want to return to the former shadow of ourselves (relapse).  If you stumble: continue to practice inward loving kindness, (and in the words of Jimmy Buffett) breathe in, breathe out -move on.   For tomorrow is another day to begin anew.

 

 

In Health and Wellness,

Tim

References

Bryant, C., Green, D., & Merrill, S. (Eds.).  (2013). Ace Health Coach Manual: The Ultimate Guide to Wellness, Fitness, & Lifestyle Change.  San Diego: American Council on Exercise.